A new Columbus Air Force Base sign will be installed later this month after fundraisers hit their goal in April.
Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce President Joey Bragg said the organization hit its $25,000 fundraising goal in last month.
The new sign should be installed by May 24, when an official unveiling ceremony is planned.
Bragg said the fundraising project took three or four months, with organizers holding a big push to hit the goal in the April.
“It was a pure community effort,” Bragg said. “For us to be able to get this funded that quickly was truly remarkable. It shows what the base means to the community and what the community means to the base.”
The sign will replace the current one, which is located on the northbound side of Highway 45 across from the CAFB entrance. Bragg said the old sign is outdated and the new one should be a significant upgrade.
The new sign will be 16 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Bragg sad the measurements are twice as tall and 4 feet wider than the current sign.
The sign will be illuminated by LED lights, a modern contrast to the ones that are dim or going out in the old sign.
“We’re going to make a vast improvement on that side of the road,” Bragg said.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.